What strategies support effective communication with patients who have limited health literacy?

• A. Use plain language, teach-back, visual aids, and confirm comprehension.
• B. Use complex medical jargon to sound authoritative.
• C. Rely only on written materials without checking understanding.
• D. Speak quickly and assume comprehension

Answer: (A)

Effective communication with patients who have limited health literacy hinges on delivering information in plain language, verifying understanding, using helpful visuals, and confirming that the patient can apply what they’ve learned. Plain language avoids medical jargon and speaks in terms the patient can easily grasp, reducing confusion from complicated terminology. Teach-back invites the patient to restate the information or steps in their own words, so you can identify and address any gaps before they leave. Visual aids like diagrams, pictures, or demonstrations support memory and clarify concepts that words alone may not convey. Finally, confirming comprehension ensures the patient actually understands what to do next and how to follow the plan.

Using complex medical jargon, relying only on written materials, or speaking quickly while assuming comprehension all hinder understanding and can lead to mistakes or nonadherence.